看
Character learning workspace

kān / kàn · to look, to see

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

HSK 2.0 · Level 1HSK 3.0 · Level 1Frequency #52
Watch · inspect · write

Learn every stroke in 看

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

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Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Sound changes meaning

Readings & meanings

看 has 2 dictionary pronunciations. The examples show how each reading behaves in real words.

kān

to look after; to take care of; to watch

看护kān hù · to nurse
kàn

to see; to look at; to read; to watch

好看hǎo kàn · good-looking
Step-by-step explorer

See how 看 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

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Writing notes

Shape and proportion

9Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Top-bottomCharacter structure

Keep the upper section balanced above the lower section.

目Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 看 writing sheet

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Includes the stroke sequence, progressive tracing, and blank writing squares. Generated locally in your browser.

Vocabulary in context

Common words with 看

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

kànto see; to look at; to read; to watch
kānto look after; to take care of; to watch
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 看 sits in each complete thought.

Wǒ kàn jiàn nǐ zài kàn tā.我看见你在看她。

I saw you looking at her.

Source: Tatoeba #8517179 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Zài wǒ kàn lái, tā shì yǒu dào lǐ de.在我看来,他是有道理的。

In my opinion, he is correct.

Source: Tatoeba #426367 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ de kàn fǎ gēn nǐ de bù tóng.我的看法跟你的不同。

My opinion is different from yours.

Source: Tatoeba #852191 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Zài wǒ kàn lái, nǐ cuò le.在我看来,你错了。

In my opinion, you are wrong.

Source: Tatoeba #7771922 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Kàn lái tā huì zài xià gè yuè lái.看来他会在下个月来。

It looks like he'll be coming here next month.

Source: Tatoeba #5576766 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ jiù shì xiǎng ràng nǐ kàn kàn zhège.我就是想让你看看这个。

I just wanted you to look at this.

Source: Tatoeba #8500033 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 看 in context

  1. Say kān / kàn, then recall the core meaning: to look, to see.
  2. Write all 9 strokes while keeping the top-bottom balanced.
  3. Use it in 好看 (hǎo kàn), meaning “good-looking”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 看 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.